help please

[jbird79]

I just measured my nitrates after a 30% wc and they r off the charts how do i get them down

[Aspencer]

Water changes...if your levels are 80, 50% water changes get it to 40...do the math...check you water from your tap to see if you have NitrAtes in it.

[Aspencer]

Are you sure you are doing the test correctly...are you overstocked..it is hard to get off the charts unless you do not do water changes.

[paytertot]

Or if you have high nitrates in your tap like I do, it may not be all their fault bro

[jbird79]

I checked the tap water its good. I did the tank twice a came up the same both times. My load isnt big i have no idea

[paytertot]

What size is your tank, what is your stock, and how often do you do water changes?

[jbird79]

I have a 40 gallon tank with 4 cichlids between 2-4 inches, a small red tail shark and two plecos 1 common and 1 bushy nose
Up untill a month ago i had never done a water change and my fish were fine but a month ago i got three new cichlids to add to the three i had well two have died in the last week no signs of being sick. The stopped eating the next day they died in my hospital tank

[jbird79]

I just did a 50% water change and the reading came out the same. Both me and my wife did the test im using api kit is there something im doin wrong

[paytertot]

Ack! You really need to be doing water changes, I do 60% once a week, but I'm over stocked. Also, make sure you shake the crap out if both test. Bottles, that can gave an effect on the result

[jbird79]

Im using tap water which i tested too it really good, with some prime conditioner

[Malawi Freak]

Overstocked or not. Cichlids REQUIRE weekly water changes.

[Mumma.of.two]

Not doing water changes causes nitrates and TDS (total dissolved solids) to build up to a dangerous level in the tank. Fish that have been in the tank from the start will slowly become accustomed to the higher levels as they rise. When you add new fish they are not use to the poor water conditions so they go into shock and can die. Look up 'old tank syndrome'. As I said on your other thread, you need to do lots of large water changes to bring it down to 20ppm or less and keep it there with weekly water changes.

[jbird79]

Ok ill keep doin wc till it comes down

[jbird79]

Ok something is wrong ive done a 30% and two 50% water changes and the tests are coming out the same. Im goin to take some water to lfs and have them test it. Ill let u know tomorrow what happens

[Malawi Freak]

Sounds to me like a faulty test kit. Are you using API? If so are you shaking the appropriate amount? Strips? You said when you tested the tap it was fine, that concerns me if the test was done any different.

[Mumma.of.two]

Another option is the nitrate was just that high that you are bringing it down but not into the readable range yet. As said above make sure your doing the test correctly.